Rod and pipe grapple



March 7, 1933. F. M. TIES ROD AND PIPE GRAPPLE Filed Aug. 15, 1931 Patented Mar. 7, 1933 FRED M. TIES, OF 'BRODHEAD, WISCbNSIN non AND PIPE GRAPPLE Application filed August 15, 1931. Serial No. v557,363,.

flhis invention relates to grappling devices and pertains particularly to a device designed for catchingrods in wells or sewers, which may have become broken or disjointedwhile Working in the well or cleaning out the sewer. The primary object of the present inventien is to provide a device'which may be readily inserted into a. sewer or into a well hole, and which will easily pass over. the end of a broken rod therein but when, moved in the reverse direction will grip the rod so that it may be easily removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which may be readily extended into a sewer even thoughthe same may be clogged with roots or other materialjthe device being so formed as to cut its way through the clogging matter.

A still further obj ect of the invention is to provide a device of the above described character which is so designed that-the rod or pipe en gagged thereby may be released if it is found to be lodged in such a manner that its removal cannot be effected. V

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the. following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long assuch changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the rod and pipe grapple embodying the present invention. I

Figure 2 is a View in elevation looking toward the head of the device. 1

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1' indicates the forward end or head portion of the device embodying the present invention which; as

fwillbe located at the top loop 16 to which is shown, is of cylindrical design and is open at each end. This head or cylinder 1' is formed oftempered steel and has its forward edge sharpened, as indicated at2', so that it may be easily driven through-roots'or other obstructions with which it may come into contact while it is in use. I

The head 1 is connected with a rod *3 by a plurality arms, each of which is indicated by the numeral 1.- Thesev arms, which are preferably four in number, are secured to the rear edge of thehead' and 'exten'd a substantial distance therefrom parallel to the axial center thereof and then bend inwardly in convergent relatin,"as indicated at 5, and havetheir inner ends extended along.

the sides of the rod 3, as idicated at 6. Securing bolts or rivets 7 are'passed through the inner ends of the arms and through'the carrying rod 3 to secure the arms in position thereon and also to secure the rod to extend substantially axiallyof the cylindrical "head.

WVithin the head 1 there is positioneda plate 8 which ismounted for oscillation upon a bar 9 which has its ends secured in the wall of the head; Any suitable means -may be employed for attaching the plate 8 to the rod 9," the means here illustrated consisting of loops or ears 10 formed integralwith the edges of the plate and having the bar "9 extended therethrough.

The edge of the plate 8 oppositethat edge 7 ly and provided with teeth 11, this incut edge forming with the adjacent wall portion of the head a substantially elliptical opening in which a rod or pipe engaged by the device positions. j Adjacent the toothed edge portion 11 of theplate 8 there is attached at12 one end of a chain 13 which passes rearwardly through a guide eye 14 carried by the arm 4 which of the head when the'device is in use. j I

From this eye 14 the chain 13'gpasses to s which is attached to the bar'9 is cut'inward- I and th'roughia second eye 15 which is mounted upon the rod'3 where it terminates a or cable 17;

attached one endof rope site that end to which the head is connected, a oint unit 18 of the character commonly employed for coupling together rods used for running clean-out devices through sewer or other pipes, so that the necessary additional rods may be connected with the rod 3 to facilit ate the introduction of the head 1 into the sewer pipe or well hole and when it reaches the point where the broken pipe or rod is located, it will run over the end of the latter whichwill push the plate 8 rearwardly and find its way between the toothed edge of the plate and the wall of the head. Upon reversing the movement of the head the plate 8 will swingdown and bind the engaged pipe or rod against the wall of the head, so thatthe rod'may be then drawn out. Should it be found that the engaged rod or pipe is so fixed that it cannot be moved, the operator of the grapple mayrelease it by pulling upon the cable .17 so as to swing the plate free from engagement therewith. I I 7 It will also be readily seen that the device herein set forth may beeasilyand inexpensively manufactured and operated successfully for engaging broken pipe in wells or broken rods in sewer pipes, so that their removal may be effected.

At the rear end of the rod 3, there is secured thereto by means of a bolt 19 which is passed throughthe forward end portion 6 of two of the members 4, a clevis 20. This 'clevis is provided so that a. chain or cable may be coupled with the device: for the connection of a power mechanism'thereto such as a motor vehicle orthe like, Wherea heavy or tightly engaged body is gripped by the device which cannot be removed by pulling on the rod 3 by hand. 7

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: g r V 1. A grapple device of the character described, comprising a shortcylindrical body having the edge at one end sharpened, a rod memberconnected with the otherend of the body and extending axially thereof, a plate member disposed transversely of and within the body, pivotal supporting means for said plate permitting its oscillation longitudinally thereof and a flexible member connected with said plate to facilitate the movement of the plate from a point remote therefrom.

2. A grapple of the character described, comprising a short cylindrical body,a plurality of arms extending from one end of the body and longitudinally,thereofla rod member'h aving one end disposed between the ends ofthe arms remote from the cylinder body I and secured thereto, a plate member disposed transversely of and within thecylinderbody and mounted for oscillation longitudinally therein, said plate having a portion of the edge out out and formed to provide teeth therealong, and a flexible element connectedand secured thereto, a plate member disposed transversely of and wltlnn the cylinder body and mounted for oscillation longitudinally therein, and a clevis mounted upon said rod for the connection of a pull device therewith.

, 4. A grapple device of the character described, comprising a tubular body, a plurality of arms extending from one end of the bodyand having their free ends in convergent spaced relation, a rigid bar member secured at one end between the convergent ends of said arms, a plate member oscillatably mounted within the tubular body upon a transverse axis and having an edge formed to frictionally bind against a body extended through the tubular body, a flexible pull member connected at one end to. said plate and extending longitudinally of said bar, and guides mounted upon one of said arms and said bar through which said flexible member is extended.

5. A grapple of the character described, comprising a cylindrical body, a plurality of arms'extending from one end of said body and having portions of their free ends in spaced convergent relation, a plate member mounted within the tubular body upon an axis extending transversely thereof'and having an edge formed to frictionally engage an elongated member extending through the tubular body, an elongated flexible member connected at one endwith said plate, a rigid bar member connected at one end between the convergentends of said arms, and a coupling member upon the other end of said rigid bar member forfacilitating the connection of another bar therewith,

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

FRED M. TIES. 

